Chapter 134

Chapter 134

General Han Zongping's army of one hundred thousand was encamped to the east of Jinjian Pass, while the combined forces of the seven counties, numbering forty thousand, were stationed to the west, separated only by a mountain range.

That night, Song Lan made another trip, delivering the deed stamped with General Han Zongping's seal as the Commander-in-Chief of Jizhou to Xiao Mu.

With the deed in hand, both sides agreed to formalize the surrender the next morning.

After seeing Song Lan off, He Lianqing heaved a sigh of relief and said to Xiao Mu, "In terms of prestige among the people of Great Zhou, no one surpasses General Han. He who wins the hearts of the people wins the world. This southern campaign of General Han will surely succeed, and our smooth transition to his side means we won't have to worry about retribution from the court."

Some banners had to be raised, and the people believed them, even if they knew the truth. If General Han did not act, and the court managed to stabilize the chaos with its own forces, it would be a miracle if someone like the treacherous Imperial Uncle Dou allowed the Xiao family to remain unscathed.

Xiao Mu replied, "Indeed, I dare not trust the court, but I do trust General Han. With him taking over the seven counties, my family can retire with honor. I hope you, Sir He, will continue to prioritize the welfare of the people and not betray the trust of Ding County."

He Lianqing smiled at the old man, "You are a pearl, and if General Han truly discards a gem like you, how could he possibly use us mere mortals? Just wait and see; there will be plenty of opportunities for you and the second master to earn merit. Being appointed as generals and ennobled is also within reach."

Xiao Mu shook his head repeatedly and sent a scout to deliver the deed to the main camp.

Upon receiving the deed, Xiao Zhen first summoned several commanders, including Tong Sui, Qiao Changan, Sun Wei, and Zhang Wengong.

Xiao She exclaimed, "Great! We can fight under General Han from now on!"

Sun Dian frowned, "We still need to prove ourselves to General Han. He isn't like the people of the seven counties who see us as heroes just because we defeated the rebel king."

Xiao Ye teased Xiao She, "Indeed, Grandfather mentioned in the third clause of the deed that he requests to return home and farm. Perhaps we brothers will soon be hanging up our armor and tilling the land."

Xiao Yan remarked, "Where are the armors? We've only managed to produce three thousand sets of waist-length iron armor, half of which came from the seven counties' stock, all given to the cavalry. I haven't worn armor for a single day."

Sun Wei, responsible for weapon preparation, explained when Xiao Yan glanced at him, "We've been busy making swords, spears, and bows. It wasn't until February that we started forging iron armor. The blacksmiths are still learning, so it's slow. Give me another year, and I'll definitely provide a set for each soldier."

Qiao Changshun chuckled, "We've all learned many skills in these past six months. Even if General Han doesn't keep us, we brothers can open an iron forge and make farming tools for the villagers."

Qiao Changan said, "I might as well continue trading cosmetics in Dongling."

Xiao Yan retorted, "You're thinking of that girl from the teahouse, aren't you? It's been a year; she's probably already married."

Qiao Changan replied, "Nonsense, I've long forgotten what she looks like. My brother is just talking nonsense."

Xiao Yan turned to tease Zhang Wengong, "If we really go back to farming, will Cousin Xiang still marry you? You've only just become engaged, and your marriage is far from certain."

How many city girls would be willing to marry into a village?

Zhang Wengong lowered his eyes and did not join in this frivolous discussion.

Tong Sui gave Xiao Yan a sidelong glance.

Xiao Yan awkwardly looked away, muttering, "He's your future brother-in-law, but I'm your real younger uncle."

Xiao Zhen said, "Enough. I called you here to prepare you mentally, so you don't lose sleep tonight. Whether General Han keeps us or sends us home to farm, before he officially takes command of the seven counties' troops, we must continue to fulfill our duties as commanders. Tomorrow, show your best form and don't let the ten thousand soldiers of General Han laugh at us."

The young men straightened their backs.

The next morning, they gathered the troops early and waited at Jinjian Pass for the old man to lead the way through.

At Jinjian Pass, the gate city.

General Han Zongping rode his horse, followed closely by his son Han Bao, advisors Wei Qi and Song Lan, and over a dozen generals, then came the ten thousand-strong army.

Rounding a cliff, they arrived at Jinjian Pass, where the city gates stood wide open, and over a thousand soldiers were lined up below, led by an elderly man in civilian clothes.

General Han Zongping had heard much about Xiao Mu recently. Seeing him in person, he noted the old man's black hair, robust build, and upright posture, which indeed exuded the aura of a seasoned general. He nodded inwardly.

"Commoner Xiao Mu, paying respects to the general!"

Xiao Mu bowed deeply from afar, and those behind him, including He Lianqing, did the same.

Han Zongping spurred his horse closer, dismounted, and immediately helped Xiao Mu up, gripping his wrists firmly. "I have long heard of the noble reputation of the old general. Today, meeting you in person, I find that your fame is well-deserved."

Xiao Mu humbly replied, "I come from a fallen household of a thousand households, and my martial skills are merely enough to defeat the rebel king Li Gang. I dare not call myself a general in front of you, general."

Han Zongping laughed, "We are both martial men, so let's skip the formalities. I am here today at the request of General Zhao, the commander of Da Tong, to suppress the rebellions in Jinzhou and restore peace to the people. I thank you, old general, for opening the gates and sparing my troops a difficult battle."

Xiao Mu responded, "I have also heard of your love for the people, which is why I entrust the seven counties to you. With you here, I can finally lay down this heavy burden and return home with peace of mind."

Han Zongping said, "No, I am heading south to eliminate traitors, and I need capable soldiers and brave generals by my side. I hope you will stay and assist me."

Xiao Mu looked up, tears welling in his eyes. "To be honest, if you had come twenty years earlier, I would have served you loyally, even as a mere flag-bearer. But now, at over seventy, though I still have the passion to serve my country, my strength has waned. I must decline your kind offer."

Like Feng Tang growing old and Li Guang failing to receive a title, the old man used some diplomatic words, but his tears were genuine.

As a great general, Han Zongping understood Xiao Mu's frustration and regret. He held the old man's hands tightly and said, "Old or not, it's not about age but about physical condition and spirit. Though you are seventy, you stand as strong as a pine, robust and vigorous. As long as you still have the heart to fight on the battlefield, you can join me in our southern campaign to seek justice for the common people."

Xiao Mu tried to speak again, but a middle-aged general suddenly interrupted impatiently, "Old General Xiao, stop rambling. I'm getting a headache! Here's the deal: fight me. If you can't last three rounds against me, you're too old to be of any use, and you should go home and farm. If you can last three rounds, it shows you still have fighting strength, and you should obediently follow the general's orders. Deal?"

Han Zongping scolded, "Fan Zhao, show respect to the old general!"

Then he introduced Fan Zhao to Xiao Mu, "He is one of my deputy generals, skilled in martial arts but impulsive. Please don't take offense."

Hearing this, Xiao Mu showed admiration and bowed to Fan Zhao, "So you are the famous General Fan Zhao, renowned since the age of eighteen. I have heard much about you."

Fan Zhao said, "Ah, I can't stand your formalities. Will you fight or not? Give me a straight answer!"

Xiao Mu smiled, "It is an honor to receive guidance from General Fan, even in defeat. It will be worth it!"

He then called for a soldier to fetch his spear.

Shortly, two soldiers brought a spear, which Xiao Mu took with one hand, then bowed to Han Zongping and Fan Zhao, "Please bear with my poor skills!"

This time, even Fan Zhao, who hadn't taken him seriously, put away his contempt.

The two sides retreated, clearing the central space for the two men.

Fan Zhao's bravery was such that ordinary enemy generals rarely survived more than one round against him. He proposed using three rounds to test Xiao Mu, aiming only to gauge whether Xiao Mu's strength could hold up, not intending to fight a real battle.

But Xiao Mu was serious. In the first round, their weapons clashed, and if Fan Zhao hadn't added force in time, his long saber would have been knocked out of his hand.

Seeing Xiao Mu now, Fan Zhao was first surprised, then laughed: "What a fine old general! It's all your smooth talk; I almost misjudged you today. Come on!"

Their figures crossed, and they charged at each other again.

The clash of blades and spears seemed to last only a few blinks, yet they had already fought over a dozen rounds, growing fiercer with each exchange.

By the eighty-first round, Xiao Mu, being older, began to tire from the intense combat. He was no match for Fan Zhao.

Suddenly, Han Zongping rode close, inserting his spear between their weapons, laughing: "Enough, General Xiao's bravery can rival that of General Feng Duan."

Feng Duan was a tiger general in the Jizhou army, sixty-eight years old, whom Han Zongping had left at the border to guard against invaders.

Fan Zhao sheathed his weapon, clapping Xiao Mu on the shoulder and laughing heartily: "General, you're mistaken. In my view, Old Xiao is even better than Old Feng by a margin!"

Han Zongping: ...

Doesn't Old Feng care about his dignity?

However, the battle just now and the comments about Xiao Mu had spread like a tidal wave through the ten thousand troops behind them.

Before this battle, Han Zongping truly admired the Xiao family, but he had high standards for military talent. Defeating a local rebel king was not impressive to him.

He tacitly allowed Fan Zhao to spar with Xiao Mu to gauge Xiao Mu's true abilities. If Xiao Mu had been weak and feeble, he would have assigned him to lead a thousand troops to defend the city. Now...

Han Zongping took Xiao Mu's hand again, feeling a mix of emotions: "Corrupt officials who envy and hate talent have caused a hero like you to fall into obscurity, like a pearl hidden in the dust. If you don't mind, I wish to appoint you as my Right General, continuing to command the original forty-thousand troops from the seven counties. All ranks and appointments in the Right Army will remain under your authority. I am sincere, please do not refuse."

Xiao Mu's throat tightened, and he knelt on one knee: "I accept your command!"

Han Zongping smiled and helped him up, calling Han Bao, Song Lan, and others to meet their new general.

After a brief introduction, Xiao Mu and Han Zongping led the ten-thousand-strong army through Jinjian Pass side by side.

As they finished the last stretch of mountain road, the view opened up, and the forty-thousand well-trained troops formed an array before them. Seeing Han Zongping and Xiao Mu, Xiao Zhen led the way in kneeling: "We pay our respects to the Great General!"

The forty-thousand soldiers behind him knelt in unison, shouting in unison: "We pay our respects to the Great General!"

The roar was like thunder, startling the warhorses of the Han family army into hesitation and the birds in the mountains into flight.

At that moment, Han Zongping looked at the forty-thousand troops with a gaze as bright as a farmer seeing a fertile field ripe for harvest.

At that moment, Song Lan looked at Xiao Zhen and his brothers, and the valiant Tong Sui in her female attire, and found it hard to recognize them.

In just one year, what had he missed?